Former Michigan Agent Sentenced for Embezzling from Client; Must Repay $70K
A Michigan former insurance agent charged with embezzling from an elderly client has been sentenced to 36 months’ probation – with six months under house arrest – and ordered to pay restitution, state officials announced.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) reported that the sentencing of Brian Lietzau, 60, of Paw Paw, follows a plea deal he entered in February in which he pleaded no contest to one count of embezzlement from a vulnerable adult, $50,000 or more but less than $100,000.
Lietzau must pay restitution of about $70,000 to the estate of the victim, who is now deceased. Lietzau has also surrendered his license to practice insurance.
DIFS initially investigated Lietzau’s actions and referred the case to the Attorney General’s office.
Lietzau is the former owner of Farm Bureau-Lietzau Insurance. Between November 2012 and November 2013, he served as fiduciary and power of attorney for the elderly victim. During that time, he converted her funds to his own personal use. These transfers occurred both while the victim was in the hospital and after she had passed away, according to the AG’s office and the DIFS.
Source: Michigan Attorney General’s Office